Rapidly gaining popularity as a houseplant despite being quite finicky, here are things that nobody tells you about fiddle-leaf fig trees.
Fiddle-leaf figs are a trend that refuses to go away. If you, too, have been in the gardening world for a while and are thinking of expanding your collection with a fiddle-leaf fig, you probably have done a good amount of research. So, you would know that fiddle-leaf figs have a lot of demands. But other than those, here are things that nobody tells you about fiddle-leaf fig trees.
Things Nobody Tells You About Fiddle-Leaf Fig Trees
1) You Cannot Propagate it With Leaves
We all wish to see fallen leaves sprout roots, develop into plantlets, and eventually become full-blown trees. Unfortunately, you cannot confuse a fiddle-leaf fig with a jade plant. If you already have a full-grown fiddle-leaf fig tree, the only way to successfully propagate it is with a tip cutting. A “tip” is a stem that is 6 inches or more long and should have leaves attached.
2) A Tiny Plant Might Suit Your Lifestyle Better
While a fiddle-leaf fig outgrowing your home means that it is receiving the perfect care, it might not always be what you need. In compact spaces, you need a tiny plant that can live happily on a windowsill. Though, that may not always be possible unless you get a fake plant, you can contain its growth to 10 feet indoors instead of its natural 50 feet!
But you definitely do not need an unhappy fiddle-leaf fig tree that’s turning yellow or losing its leaves due to drafts, excess sunlight, or cold damage.
3) A Fiddle-Leaf Fig Is Super Finicky
While you may be familiar with some of the demands of fiddle-leaf figs, there are more! There are many reasons why these trees have earned the reputation of being super finicky, and that is because they don’t like drafts, too much sun, not enough sun, soil that is too dry, soil that is too wet, dry air, or maybe even rap music. Yes, that last one was a joke, but you might want to invest in a humidifier for its birthday.
These plants are also particular about their water. Use filtered water only and water once a week after checking that the soil is not too wet or dry. Ensure that the pot your plant is in has proper drainage holes and that excess water after every watering drains away. overwatering can be a killer for FLFs due to root rot.
5) It’s All About Styling it Right
Got a fiddle tree that looks like a fiddle and simply won’t grow bushier? Well, instead of trying to pair it with slender vines like Pothos or other succulents, you can make your slender FLF look like a design statement.
Now that this trending plant has actually become a symbol of modern interior design with its large, glossy leaves, adding effortless elegance and sophistication to any room, you can shape it quite well. The best part about the fiddle-leaf fig is that it is ready to be pruned and shaped into intricate shapes. Besides encouraging bushier growth, you can also train it to grow taller with a single stem.
6) Ensure High Humidity Levels
Fiddle-leaf figs are native to rainforests, so they expect a humidity level of 60% to 65% even indoors. If your indoor air is dry and only has a level of 10%, your fiddle-leaf fig will start to look fatigued. You might also start seeing brown tips of leaves. In such a case, it is essential to set up a humidifier near the plant.
7) You Need The Perfect Amount Of Light
On one hand, fiddle-leaf figs can’t survive in low-light levels. But on the other hand, if you give them too much sun, they will burn. The best spot for a fiddle-leaf fig is slightly away from a south-facing window or shielded with a sheer curtain from direct light. In this direction, it can receive its daily quota of bright, indirect sunlight. The best location for the FLF is an east-facing window, where they can receive ample bright, indirect sunlight.
But in addition to the right location, you also need to rotate your tree so the light can hit it in different directions and facilitate even growth.
8) Maintenance Is Must
There is no use styling your plant if you do not maintain it. From dusting the leaves regularly to pulling off any dead, brown, or yellow leaves, you must conserve the plant’s energy to facilitate better growth. These dead, drying parts would otherwise be taking up a lot of nutrients needed for growth. Plus, these parts are easy to break off.
Besides that, you should try changing the soil or repotting the plant completely, especially if the soil smells funky. Repotting is also essential so that the roots have room to grow!
9) Choose the Right Planter
Planting a newly bought fiddle leaf in a large pot can literally turn out to be a ploy to kill it. When the plant is small, you should choose a pot that is 8 to 10 inches wide. As the plant grows, switch to a pot that is 12 to 14 inches wide, but do not go higher than this. Ensure that any pot you choose has proper drainage holes. You can also layer the bottom of the pot with rocks before putting them in the soil to help with better drainage.
